Ajith Fernando makes a probing comment about preaching in his recent book, Jesus-Driven Ministry. He begins by observing that the most common response he hears to sermons he preaches in the West is: “I enjoyed that sermon.” Then, he offers this assessment:
“Sermons should disturb, convict, and motivate to radical and costly obedience. I have wondered whether people’s desired result from sermons is to enjoy themselves rather than to be changed into radical disciples who will turn the world upside down. If this is so, the church has assimilated the postmodern mood that considers inner feelings more important than commitment to principles” [p. 23].
Yes, preaching should afflict the comfortable as well as comfort the afflicted. When people tell me they “enjoyed” my sermon, I’ve been at this long enough to know that some of them have truly been impacted by God’s Word. They’re just not sure how to express it. But others, I suspect, have fallen right into the trap which Fernando describes. They gauge the sermon’s success based on whether or not it made them feel better, more satisfied, or more entertained.
What’s disturbing is that we cannot necessarily prevent this by preaching a certain way. God pointed this out to Ezekiel (see Ezekial 33:30-33). Yet we can pray that the people to whom we preach will be committed to ‘doing’ as well as ‘hearing’ (James 1:22-25). We can also take an honest look at our motives. Am I including this story because it will get an “ooh” or “aah,” or am I including it because it will drive home the point I’m making? Am I holding back, or am I avoiding a text because it will make people uncomfortable?
It may be appropriate in some cases to enjoy a sermon. But what’s most important is that a sermon confronts us with the truth so that we can glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Posted by Steve Mathewson at 8:27 AM on January 4, 2008
Comments
This is an interesting point you make when you remind us that we can't make people hear our sermons in a certain way by our preaching style or method. I can remember preachers attempting to address sin in their church like "talking about people" or "lying" and often the loudest amens seem to come from those who are guilty of the particular sin.
Preaching against sin often has people thinking about "other folks" sin rather than our own. While thinking about this, I am drawn to the story of Nathan talking to King David. He preached an interesting "sermon" to David about someone stealing a lamb. David got mad at the obvious injustice. Then Nathan hit the conclusion of the sermon by saying, "Thou Art the Man."
Perhaps indirection is the only way to reach the heart of those of us who are so sure of our own innocence and other's guilt.
Posted by: Sherman Haywood Cox II on January 4, 2008
Having heard this statement about 'enjoying a sermon' for many many years, I have come to recognize that probably any of three things was accomplished: 1)communication. People appreciate good communication, 2)affirmation. People like hearing what they believe to be true and when it is affirmed, they like hearing it. 3) stimulation. After years of preaching, it is still amazing to hear people tell me back what they heard in a sermon that has stuck with them. Good preaching is enjoyable, hence why we have PreachingToday.com and several others that we like to listen to who capably preach God's word. If we fail to enjoy, the problem may (and I stress may) not be the preacher as much as it is the listener.
Posted by: Robert Szoke on January 4, 2008
I would say it's all right, but not alright.
Posted by: John Birmingham on January 7, 2008
Thanks, SHERMAN, ROBERT, and JOHN for your comments and clarifications.
Yes, indirection can be a powerful approach to communicating truth. Now wonder God wrapped so much of his truth in stories!
It's also good to be reminded that "good preaching is enjoyable." I agree that there are times when the comment, "I enjoyed your sermon" is entirely appropriate even though there are times (according to Fernando) when that response betrays something inappropriate.
By the way, 'The New Oxford American Dictionary' (2001) tells me that it is all right to use 'alright' (smile).
Posted by: Steve Mathewson on January 8, 2008
I assume that when any of our pastors get up to preach, they have something worth hearing and that God has something to say through them. Been around long enough to know they are human and so they don't hear perfectly from God, they do not speak perfectly from God, and they do not always deliver that well either. But God still uses them. So could you pastors apply the same grace to those of us in the pew? We may use the work "enjoy" to mean more than we can tell you in a few minutes? Some sermons are so incredibly profound I can even remember the weather that day. Sometimes I turn ideas from the sermon over in my heart and mind for weeks-maybe a few for a lifetime. Don't underestimate your work and gift as a preacher but don't underestimate our hearing and learning either.
Posted by: trisha on January 8, 2008
It is all well and good for someone to tell preachers that the congregation should not enjoy the sermons, but if it happens too often the congregation may become truly motivated--to hire a new preacher.
Posted by: Charles Cosimano on January 9, 2008